The search is on for 400 boys evacuated to Blenheim Palace during the Second World War.

The palace is trying to track down boys from Malvern College who lived at the palace between October 1939 and July 1940.

The former evacuees will be invited to a reunion and VIP tour of the palace's new exhibition, Churchill's Destiny.

The exhibition, at the end of May, marks the anniversary of the end of the war and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill who was born at Blenheim and buried at nearby Bladon Church.

Palace chief executive John Hoy said: "More than 400 pupils and 100 staff from Malvern College were evacuated to the palace at the start of the Second World War.

"The palace was completely transformed and it's a fascinating period in the history of this amazing building."

The transformation from a palace to a temporary boarding school took four weeks.

Lights had to be hidden in preparation for the blackout and the palace's manicured lawns were turned into football pitches with goal posts.

The short notice of the evacuation meant it was not possible to take down pictures and tapestries from the State Rooms, so screens were fixed around the walls to protect them.

The damask curtains were protected with canvas covers, the mahogany doors were padded with felt and the floors were covered with 1,400 square yards of linoleum and 1,000 square yards of matting.

The Great Hall became a dining hall, while the State Rooms and the Long Library were transformed into dormitories.

Two additional dormitories were erected on the west side of the palace and 17 more huts were built to provide classrooms and a library.

The old laundry was converted into a laboratory and drying rooms, and the old riding school was turned into an assembly hall and gym.

Then, in 1940, the school moved out and MI5 moved in.

Mr Hoy added: "We would love to welcome those former evacuees back again to share their memories of those dark but poignant times."

The exhibition looks at the lives of Sir Winston Churchill and his hero and ancestor, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, who led a historic victory at the Battle of Blenheim on August 13, 1704.

If you stayed at Blenheim as a Malvern College student during the war, or you have interesting stories from that time, write to Sarah Priddis at Leader Communications, The Stone House, 123 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire B95 5AU.

Alternatively, e-mail sp@leader.co.uk or telephone 01564 796 200.